The Latest: Mickelson, Spieth, McIlroy struggle at US Open

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) The Latest on the U.S. Open"s first round Thursday (all times local):

It"s been a rough go early at the U.S. Open for Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy. All three multiple major winners were finding Shinnecock Hills very difficult in the first round.

Mickelson, seeking to complete a career Grand Slam with a win at the Open, was 3-over par through five holes. Playing partners Jordan Spieth, owner of three major titles, was 5 over in the same marquee threesome, and McIlroy, who has four major championships, was 6 over in that group.

Jason Day, Louis Oosthuizen and Zach Johnson, major winners all, were over par through a handful of holes.

But defending champion Brooks Koepka was one of the few under par, 1 under through five after a birdie at the opening hole.

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7:05 a.m.

The U.S. Open has begun on a century-old golf course with a new look.

Harold Varner hit the opening tee shot on a gorgeous Thursday morning at Shinnecock Hills, using a fairway metal to hit a fairway that was some 60 yards wide in the landing zone. He still watched it anxiously, only because a marshal unaware the U.S. Open had started ambled across the fairway, and broke into a sprint when he heard the ball land near him.

Scott Piercy and Matthieu Pavon of France also found the short grass - Piercy in the first fairway, Pavon so far right that it cleared the knee-high fescue and landed on the ninth hole.

The fairways are 15 yards wider on average than the 2004 U.S. Open at Shinnecock.